In light of the recent events on Friday, I am sure there will be a lot of blogs that will be writing their feelings on the tragedy that occurred in Newton, Connecticut. I actually have only watched portions of the coverage because as a mother myself, it is too close to my heart to endure or even fathom what the parents and community are going through, so I want to say this about it and let you ponder.
Watching the message of Emilee Parker's daddy talk about what a wonderful child she was was heart felt, but the one thing that stuck out was when he said, that his heart and his condolences go out to the shooter's family for he knows they are grieving and trying to make sense of this tragedy.
How profound a message is that? That someone who's lost his daughter in this great sadness also knows there is another side that even though you want to blame, you grieve for they to are trying to make sense of it as well.
I took away from that only a heart full of faith and forgiveness and that when we want to blame others when we are hurting, we sometimes just can't until all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together. A father, a family who lost something so precious reached out and said, you are hurting too. Powerful. That's the only thing I can write. Powerful.
Think about that message because its deeper than you or I can probably understand.
Love,
Dusty
You are so right, Dusty. Forgiveness is something that doesn't come easy or lightly. I struggle with it daily, over things trivial and not so trivial. Here is to the hope and prayer that I can learn to be more like Emilee Parker's father.
ReplyDeletei've seen it happen before.
ReplyDeletewith a family i know whose 2 young children were killed in a fiery car accident caused by someone else not paying attention.
they have such a strong faith in God that they truly believe where it says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" {romans 8:28}
honestly, i'd probably lose it if it were my child.
honestly.
It's so true! Reading this it made me realize that the shooter's family will go through so much more pain from this tragic event. They will be ridiculed and judged for what he done. I pray for all the ones involved!
ReplyDeleteTragedies like this touch the parent in all of us. I have avoided the coverage and I refuse to write about it.
ReplyDeleteHow can any parent look at those images and not be moved?!?
That is powerful. Man, I'm still trying to make sense of it all. But I think being able to forgive will make the healing that much better. Holding onto anger and blame will only keep the broken hearts broken.
ReplyDeletethat is amazing, it gave me chills. I am still having trouble processing it.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. Truly Powerful.
ReplyDeleteWell said girl! There are no words!
ReplyDeleteVery well stated, love. Absolutely POWERFUL!
ReplyDeleteI saw his interview as well and was astounded by his words and his heart. May God bless them all and I pray that as a country we can figure out how to protect our precious babies and that this will never happen again.
ReplyDeleteI saw his interview and it broke my heart. He is right though the shooters family is grieving as well. We cannot forget that. God Bless them all!
ReplyDeleteI missed it but now I'm going to google it.
ReplyDeleteLove your face.
That little girl's daddy brought me to tears, which was admittedly easy, but still. My daughter's name, my daughter's favorite pass time, markers always in her hand. Forgiveness and love in the face of such a terrible loss. He will certainly see his daughter on the other side, one day. A heart full of faith, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing! Great post, let us not forget about EVERYONE who is greiving!
ReplyDeleteIndeed his words are very powerful. This is a wonderful blog post. It is not just the victims' families that have been hurt, but also the killer's family. Very tragic news for all of us.
ReplyDeleteI am really really happy that people are seeing both sides. I'm happy that this is bringing attention to mental illness, and that people are banding together in light of the tragedy. I'm still at a loss for words about it, so I can't even bring myself to blog on it.
ReplyDeleteWhen kindness is given, it's almost as beneficial to the one that gives it as the one who receives it. Incredible of little Emilee's father to extend these sentiments to the killer's family.
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